Door holding and releasing device.



No. 818,077. 7 PATBNTED APR. 17, 1906. 8. S. COLT.

DOOR HOLDING AND RELEASING DEVICE.

APPLIGATION FILED MAR.16, 1905.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1.

lNVENTOR'.

firque'liljnlt No. 818,077. PATENTED APR. 17, 1906. S. S. COLT.

DOOR- HOLDING AND RELEASING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.16, 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENTOR l 551ml SEEM,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DOOR HOLDING AND RELEASING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 17, 1906.

Application filed March 16, 1905. Serial No. 250,378.

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, SAMUEL S. COLT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Orange, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Door Holding and Releasing Devices; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to numerals of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My present invention has reference to a novel device for automatically closing an open door, such as the door of a furnace or stove and, furthermore, this invention relates more particularly to a novel time-releasing mechanism or device for controlling the movement of a door, whereby the said door is automatically closed at some predetermined time.

My present invention has for its principal objects to provide a novel, simple, and cheap device which can be readily applied to a door or the like to be used for automatically closing the door at some future time, the releasing mechanism of the device being actuated to produce the closing movement of the door, either by an alarm-clock or other suitable means.

i A further object of this invention is to provide, in connection with a spring-controlled door-closing device, a holding device for retaining the door open and which acts also as a vibratory releasing means, which may be released by means of any suitable mechanism or device to cause the torsional spring to bring the door again into its closed position.

Another principal object of this invention is to provide a simple and efiiciently operating door-closing device which is especially adapted for use with the doors of furnaces and stoves, and especially of providing a device the essential features of which are to provide, first, a connection between the door and release to hold the door in its proper open position; secondly, a detachable connection between the door and spring; thirdly, a re lease 'on the pivot side of the door; fourthly, a mechanicallyactuated vibratory release; fifthly, a spring-actuated door in combination with a set time-release; siXthly, a door held in position by a release mechanism and a prime mover; seventhly, a door having a prime mover detachable therefrom, and, lastly, a release having a vibratory motion, as a prime mover.

With these various objects and purposes of my present invention in view the said invention consists, primarily, in a novel do0rclosing device of the general character hereinafter more particularly specified; and, furthermore, this invention consists in the general arrangements and combinations of devices and parts, as well as in the various details of the construction of the same, all of which will be. fully described in the accompanying specification and then finally embodied in the clauses of the claim, which are appended to and which form an essential part of this specification.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure I is a front view of a furnace-door and part of the front plate of a furnace witha side view of the door-closing device embodying the principles of my present invention, and comprising means for holding the door open and a releasing mechanism for automatically closing the door, the said devices or mechanisms being represented in their normal initial positions when disconnected from the door and Fig.2 is a similar view of all the parts represented in said Fig. 1, the parts of the door-closing device and release being shown in their operative positions, while retaining the door in its open relation. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the release device. Fig. 4 is a central longitudinal section of the same, and Fig. 5 is a top or plan view of said release device. Fig. 6 is a detail view of a portion of a furnace-door and side view of a door-closing device and release of a slightlymodified construction, but still embodying the principles of this invention.

Similar characters of reference are employed in all of the said above-described views to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring now to the several figures of the drawings, the reference character 1 indicates any suitably-shaped furnace-door, and 2 is the front or face plate of the furnace. The said door 1 is provided with the usuallyformed hinge lugs or ears 3, hinged or pivotally connected, by means of the usual pintles or pivots 4, to the hinge lugs or cars 5 of the front or furnace plate 2. Suitably connected with portions of the said pintles or pivots 4,

IIO

in the manner represented in Figs. 1 and 2 or in Fig. 6 of the drawings, or in any other suitable manner, are perforated end portions of suitably-constructed holding or supporting devices or members 6, each device or member 6 being also provided with a receiving-socket or eye portion 7. These receiving-sockets or eye portions 7 are arranged upon a vertical rod or bar 8, each member or device 6 being rigidly aflixed to said rod or bar 8 by means of set-screws 9, or in any other suitable manner. When the said devices or members 6 are arranged in the manner shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings, being in that case located beneath each hinge lug or ear 5 to prevent the rod or bar 8 from dropping from its operative position, another device or member 10, having a receiving-socket or eye portion 11, is arranged upon and secured in position upon the said rod or bar 8 by means of a set-screw 12, the said device or member 10 having its free end resting upon the upper lug or ear 3 of the door, substantially as illustrated in said Fig. 6. It will be understood, however, that the said rod or bar 8 and its members may be suitably connected in their operative relation to the hinged or pivoted side of the door in any other suitable manner or by means of other suitably-constructed supporting devices or means. That the said rod or bar 8 and its members or devices 6 will at all times remain in alinement with the ears or lugs 3 and 5, or, in other words, that any forwardly-swinging movement of the said. bar or rod 8, owing to the fact that the said. members or devices 6 are but loosely pivoted upon the pintles or pivots 4, may be prevented, a long rod or stop-lever 13 may be used. This lever 13 is provided at its one end with a receiving-socket or eye 14 and a set-screw 15, by means of which it is secured upon the said rod or bar 8, and extends at a fixed angle to the plane of the face of the furnace-front 2 toward said front, with the free end 16 of said rod or stop-lever always in contact with the said front of the furnace, stove, or the like. That the said rod or bar 8 and its members or devices will act as a means in cooperating with a spring 17 for automatically closing the door 1 when open the coiled portion of this spring is arranged upon the said rod or bar 8, as shown, the said spring being retained in place by a nut or collar 18 upon the said rod or bar 8, substantially as illustrated, and said. spring having its one free end portion 19 bearing upon the front 2 of the furnace or stove and its other free end portion 20 being in operative engagement with the face of the door. This engagement of the part 20 may be produced in various ways, preferably by having the end portion of the part 20 extending into a loop or eye 22 of a rod 21 or other suitable connecting device attached to a knob 23 or any other portion of the door 1, as will be clearly understood. Thus when these parts are in their relative positions (represented in Fig. 1 of the drawings) then will the spring 17 force the door into its closed position. That the door may at times be freely opened and closed when providing the furnace with coal the end portion 20 of the spring 17 is slipped from the eye or loop 22, or the rod 21 may be disconnected from the knob 23. It will thus be evident that the said door can then be opened without affecting the spring 17, and when thus disconnected the door will remain in its open position.

To retain the door in an open position when the spring 17 is again actively connected, I have connected with the said rod or bar 8 a combined holding device and release 24. This combined holding device and release consists, essentially, of a suitably-shaped arm or bar 25, which is provided at its rear end with a perforated receiving portion or eye 26 for arranging it upon the rod or bar 8 and for securing the arm or bar 25 in a fixed position upon said rod or bar 8 by means of a setscrew 27 but of course it will be understood that the said arm or bar 25 may be otherwise made and provided with other suitable fastening means. At its forward and opposite end portion the said arm or bar 25 is made with a finger 28, which is preferably raised above the upper surface of the main part of the said arm or bar 25 so as to provide a shoulder or offset 29, as illustrated more particularly in Fig. 4 of the drawings. Said finger 28 is also made with an upwardly-extend ing lug or stud 30, for the purposes to be presently described. Pivotally connected with the said finger 28', by means of a pin 31 or other means of pivotal connection, is the release hereinabove mentioned. This release comprises the main body 32, having an elongated opening therein, so as to be fitted over the said finger 28, with its rear end portion 33 contiguous to the shoulder or offset 29, resting normally upon the upper face of the arm or bar 25. Beyond the point of pivotal connection is the said main body 32 of the re lease. The same is made with a forwardly and downwardly extending portion 34, formed at its free end with a hook 35, substantially as illustrated. Connected with the lower surface of the rear end portion 33 of said main body 32 of the release and extending on opposite sides of the said arm or bar 25 is a yoke-shaped stop bar or link 36 for the purpose of limiting the swinging movement of the release, substantially as and for the purposes to be presently more fully specified. In lieu of this yoke-shaped stop or link 36 a post 37, which is provided with a finger 38, may be used, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawings. The outer marginal con figuration of the combined arm or body 32 and the hook portion 34 is preferably that shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings, the body 32 being made to taper on opposite sides, as at 39, toward the said hookarm 34; but of course it will be understood that this is not of itself an absolute necessity, and the marginal configuration of the said body 32 may be changed, if desired.

Referring now again to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, I employ a suitable means of connection between the said door 1 and the post, lug, or stud 30 of the finger 28 for the double purpose of retaining the door 1 open against the action of the spring 17, and also for setting the release and holding the hook-arm 34 in its raised position. (Represented in Figs. 2, 3, and 4 of the drawings.) This means of connection may be a rod 40, which is attached at one end to the handle 41 or other suitable portion of the door 1, and has a hook-shaped retaining end 42, which can be hooked over I the said post, lug, or stud 30 and is detachable therefrom, as will be clearly evident. Any other means of connection, such as a chain, may be used in place of the rod 40.

Having in the above set forth the general arrangement and construction of the various devices and parts embodying my novel doorclosing device, I will now briefly set forth its purposes and operation.

Suppose it is desired to hold open the door 1 of a furnace, stove, or the like, and especially the fire-door of a furnace, during the night, the various devices and parts are all brought into their relative positions, (indicated in Fig. 2 of the drawings,) the release being set and the door being held open against the action of the spring 17. A time-set prime mover or actuating device, such as an ordi nary alarm-clock 43, the alarm mechanism of which has been wound and set to be released at any predetermined time, is then inserted by means of its ring 44 over the -hook 35 and hook-arm 34, and made to rest directly over the tapered edges 39 of the body 32 and finger 28, in the manner illustrated in said Fig. 2 of the drawings. Upon the release of the previously time-set prime moverin this case the alarm mechanism of the clockat the predetermined time, the vibratory action of the mechanism will cause the ring 44 of the clock to slide in the direction of the arrow X in said Fig 2 toward the hook-arm 34. Immediately upon reaching the inclined portion of the said arm 34 the movement of the clock is accelerated until it is forcibly brought in engagement with the hook 35, thereby disengaging the loop or hook 42 of the connection 40 from its previously-held engagement with the post, lug, or stud 30. The spring 17 is now free to act, with the result that the door 1 will be immediately closed, with the several devices and parts in their now inactive positions. (Indicated in Fig.1 of the drawings.) The tapered edges 39 of the body 32, as will be evident, more easily permits for a forwardly-sliding movement of the clock, as will be evident. may also be provided for use with the com- A means of adjustment] l bined holding device and release 24 for properly setting the parts of the pivoted release to insure the sliding movement of the clock in the right direction toward the hook-arm 34 and hook 35. One form of such adjusting means shown herein consists of a bracket or projection 45, extending from the side of the arm or bar 25, the said bracket or projection having adjustably arranged in a screw-threaded hole an adjusting-screw 46, one end of which is in engagement with the under surface of the body 32 of the release, as will be clearly seen from an inspection of Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings. By this means the said body 32 can be given an angular position or relation tilting slightly in a forward direction without interfering with the retained relation of the ring 44 and clock 43, when the parts are set, but assisting in the forward movement of the clock as soon as its alarm mechanism is released.

Although in the foregoing description of my invention a clock is mentioned for actuating the hook-arm 34 and releasing the connection 40 from its holding engagement l with the post, stud, or lug 30, I do not limit myself to the use solely of a clock, for I am aware any other mechanical vibratory mechanism or an electrical means, or in fact, any other suitable means, may be employed for producing a pivotal orswinging movement of the parts 28 and 34 of the release, to automatically produce a closure of the door 1 against the furnace-front 2. a

I am fully aware that changes may be made in the various arrangements and combinations of the devices and parts, as well as in the details of the construction of the same, without departing from the scope of my pres ent invention. Hence I do not limit my in vention to the exact arrangements and combinations of the devices and parts as described in the foregoing specification and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, nor do I confine myself to the exact details of the construction of the said parts.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. The combination, with the door of a furnace, or the like, of a combined holding device and movable release-arm for retaining the door in an open position, a time-set prime mover slidably arranged and suspended from said release-arm and adapted to move said release-arm at a predetermined time, and a means of connection between the said door and the release, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. The combination, with the door of a furnace, or the like, of a combined holding device and movable release-arm for retaining the door in an open position, a time-set prime mover slidably arranged and suspended from said release-arm and adapted to move said I release-arm at a predetermined time, and a spring for closing said door when the release is actuated, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. The combination, with the door of a furnace, or the like, of a combined holding device and movable releasearm for retaining the door in an open position, a time-set prime mover slidably arranged and suspended from said release-arm and adapted to move said release-arm at a predetermined time, ameans of connection between the said door and release, and a spring for closing said door when the release is actuated, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4. The combination, with a hinged or pivoted door of a furnace, or the like, of a combined holding device and movable releasearm for retaining the door in an open position, a time-set prime mover slidably arranged and suspended from said release-arm and adapted to move said releasearm at a predetermined time, said holding device and release being arranged on the pivot side of the door and connected with the pivot members, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

5. The combination, with a hinged or pivoted door of a furnace, or the like, of a combined holding device and movable releasearm for retaining the door in an open position, a time-set prime mover slidably ar ranged and suspended from said releasearm and adapted to move said release-arm at a predetermined time, said holding device and release being arranged on the pivot side of the door and connected with the pivot members, and a spring for closing said door when the release is actuated, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

6. The combination, with the door of a furnace, or the like, of a fixed body, a releasearm pivotally connected with said body, a means of connection between said body and the door for holding the door open and said releasearm in locked engagement, and a time-set prime mover slidably arranged and suspended from said releasearm and adapted to move said release-arm at a predetermined time, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

7. The combination, with the door of a furnace, or the like, of a fixed body, a releasearm pivotally connected with said body, a means of connection between said body and the door for holding the door open and said releasearm in locked engagement, a time-set prime mover slidably arranged and suspended from said release-arm and adapted to move said releasearm at a predetermined time, and a spring for closing the door when said arm is actuated, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

8. The combination, with the door of a furnace, or the like, of a fixed body, a releasearm pivotally connected with said body,

means for llmiting the movement of said releasearm, a means of connection between said body and the door for holding the door open and said release-arm in locked engagement, and a time-set prime mover slidably arranged and suspended from said releasearm and adapted to move said release-arm at a predetermined time, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

9. The combination, with the door of a furnace, or the like, of a fixed body, a releasearm pivotally connected with said body, means for limiting the movement of said release-arm, a means of connection between said body and the door for holding the door open and said release-arm in locked engagement, a time-set prime mover slidably arranged and suspended from said releasearm and adapted to move said releasearm at a predetermined time, and a spring for closing the door when said arm is actuated, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

10. The combination, with the door of a furnace, or the like, of a fixed body, a stud on said body, a release-arm pivotally connected with said body, a means of connection between said stud and the door for holding the door open and said releasearm in locked engagement, and a time-set prime mover slidably arranged and suspended from said rearm at a predetermined time, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

11. The combination, with the door of a furnace, or the like, of a fixed body, a stud on said body, a releasearm pivotally connected with said body, a means of connection between said stud and the door for holding the door open and said releasearm in locked engagement, and a clock-operated mechanism slidably arranged upon said release-arm for actuating said release-arm, and a spring for closing the door when said arm is actuated, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

12. The combination, with the door of a furnace, or the like, of a fixed body, a stud on said body, a release-arm pivotally connected with said body, means for limiting the movement of said releasearm, a means of connection between said stud of said releasearm and the door for holding the door open and said releasearm in locked engagement, and a clock-operated mechanism slidably arranged upon said releasearm, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

13. The combination, with the door of a furnace, or the like, of a fixed body, a stud on said body, a release-arm pivotally connected with said body, means for limiting the movement of said releasearm, a means of connection between said stud and the door for holding the door open and said release-armin locked engagement, a clock-operated mechanism slidably arranged upon said releasearm K for actuating said releasearm, and a spring lease-arm and adapted to move said release- 5 for closing the door when said arm is actuated, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

14. The combination, with the door of a furnace, or the like, and its hinge members, of a rod connected with said hinge members, means on said rod for retaining it in a fixed relation, a fixed body on said rod, a releasearm pivotally connected with said body, a means of connection between said body and the door for holding the door open and said release arm in locked engagement, and a clock-operated mechanism slidably arranged on said release-arm for actuating said releasearni, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

15. The combination, with a door of a furnace, or the like, and its hinge members, of a rod connected with said hinge members, means on said rod for retaining it in a fixed relation, a fixed body on said rod, a releasearm pivotally connected with said body, a means of connection between said body and the door for holding the door open and said release-arm in locked engagement, a clockoperated mechanism slidably arranged on said release-arm for actuating said releasearm, and a spring on said rod for closing the door when said release-arm is actuated, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

16. The combination, with a door of a furnace, or the like, and its hin e members, of a rod connected with said l ainge members, means on said rod for retaining it in a fixed relation, a fixed body on said rod, a releasearm pivotally connected with said body, means for limiting the pivotal movement of said release-arm, a means of connection between said body and the door for holding the door open and said release-arm in locked engagement, and a clock-operated mechanism slidably arranged on said release-arm for actuating said release-arm, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

17. The combination, with a door of a furnace, or the like, and its hin e members, of a rod connected with said iinge members, means on said rod for retaining it in a fixed relation, a fixed body on said rod, a releasearm pivotally connected with said body, means for limiting the pivotal movement of said release-arm, a means of connection between said body and the door for holding the door open and said release-arm in locked enga ement, a clock-operated mechanism slidabl y arranged on said release-arm for actuatin said release-arm, and a spring on said rod for closing the door when said arm is actuated, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

18. The combination, with a door of a furnace, or the like, and its hin e members, of a rod connected with said inge members, means on said rod for retaining it in a fixed relation, a fixed body on said rod, a stud on said body, a release-arm pivotally connected with said body, a means of connection between said stud and the door for holding the door open and said release-arm in locked engagement, and a clock-operated mechanism slidably arranged on said release-arm, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

19. The combination, with a door of a furnace, or the like, and its hinge members, of a rod connected with said hinge members, means on said rod for retaining it in a fixed relation, a fixed body on said rod, a stud on said body, a release-arm pivotally connected with said body, a means of connection between said stud and the door for holding the door open and said release-arm in locked enga ement, a clock-operated mechanism slidab y arranged on said release-arm, and a spring on said rod for closing the door when said arm is actuated, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

20. The combination, with a door of a furnace, or the like, and its hinge members, of a rod connected with said hinge members, means on said rod for retaining it in a fixed relation, a fixed body on said rod, a stud on said body, a release-arm pivotally connected with said body, means for limiting the pivotal movement of said release-arm, a means of connection between said stud and the door for holding the door open and said releasearm in locked engagement, and a clock-operated mechanism slidably arranged on said release-arm for actuating said release-arm, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

21. The combination, with a door of a furnace, or the like, and its hinge members, of a rod connected with said hinge members, means on said rod for retaining it in a fixed relation, a fixed body on said rod, a stud on said body, a release-arm pivotally connected with said body, means for limiting the pivotal movement of said release-arm, a means of connection between said stud and the door for holding the door open and said releasearm in locked engagement, a clock-operated mechanism slidably arranged on said releasearm for actuating said release-arm, and a spring on said rod for closing the door when said arm is actuated, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

22. In a combined door holding and release mechanism, a fixed body having a finger, a hook-shaped release-arm pivoted to said finger, and a time-set prime mover suspended from said release-arm, adapted at a predetermined time to vibrate and move along said arm, to actuate said arm and finally engage with the hook of said arm, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

23. In a combined door holding and release mechanism, a fixed body having a finger, a hook-shaped release-arm pivoted to said finger, means for limiting the pivotal movement of said release-arm, and a timeset prime mover suspended from said releasearm, adapted at a predetermined time to vibrate and move along said arm, to actuate said arm and finally engage with the hook of said arm, substantially as and for the pur-' connected with said finger, a means of adjustment in engagement with said releasearm, and a time-set prime mover suspended from said release-arm, adapted at a predetermined time to vibrate and move along said arm, to actuate said arm and finally engage with the hook of said arm, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

25. In a combined door holding and release mechanism, a fixed body having a finger, a hook-shaped release-arm pivoted to said finger, a means of adjustment in engagement with said release-arm, means for limiting the pivotal movement of said release arm, and a time-set prime mover suspended from said release-arm, adapted at a predetermined time to vibrate and move along said arm, to actuate said arm and finally engage with the hook of said arm, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

26. In a combined door holding and release mechanism, a fixed body having a finger, a hook-shaped release-arm pivoted to said finger, a shelf on said body provided with a screw-threaded hole, an adjustingscrew movable in said hole, said screw hav gage with the hook of said arm, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

27. In a combined door holding and release mechanism, a fixed body having a finger, a hook-shaped release-arm pivoted to said finger, a shelf on said body provided with a screw-threaded hole, an adjustingscrew movable in said hole, said screw having an end in engagement with said releasearm, means for limiting the pivotal movement of said release-arm, and a time-set prime mover suspended from said releasearm, adapted at a predetermined time to Vibrate and move along said arm, to actuate said arm and finally engage with the hook of said arm, substantially as and for the pur poses set forth.

28. The combination, with a hinged or pivoted door of a furnace, or the like, of a combined holding device and movable release-arm for retaining the door in an open position, a time-set prime mover slidably arranged and suspended from said releasearm and adapted to move said release-arm at a predetermined time, said holding device and release-arm being arranged on the pivot side of the door and connected with the pivot members, a means of connection between said door and the release-arm, and a spring 1 for closing said door when the release-arm is actuated, substantially as and for the purl poses set forth.

In testimony that I claim the invention set forth above I have hereunto set my hand ing an end in engagement with said releasethis 11th day of March, 1905.

arm, and a time-set prime mover suspended from said release-arm, adapted at a predetermmed time to vibrate and move along said arm, to actuate said arm and finally en- SAMUEL S. COLT. Witnesses:

FREDK. O. FRAENTZEL, GEo. D. RICHARDS. 

